This is for Lightbulb and kuroi_neko only.
A glowing cigarette butt landed without a sound on the rough, damp sidewalk, where a size 11 black tactical SWAT boot stomped out the gentle embers. The boot twisted once and then stepped forward. This boot belonged to Garric Vault, and while there are many things about this man that one could learn, right then was hardly the time for introductions. His slow gait carried him slowly towards the front of the Hal's Pub, an inviting hot-spot in Mesa, Arizona. In the front of the store, a gray Pontiac pulled up to the curb and cut its engine. A man hopped out of the driver's door energetically. He was dressed in a classic business suit, black sport coat, with stylized cuff links and comfortable looking black slacks. This man appeared to be in his early thirties, but consistent nano-plastic surgery would keep him looking that way regardless of the fact that he was nearly sixty-two. His name was Alfonse Rederick, and he was the corporate manager in Mesa's Kalamity lab. The man walked into bar, passing in front of Garric. When the front door of the shop closed, Garric tripped on nothing and planted his face into the pavement. He grunted in exaggerated pain, and started to stand up. To the average onlooker, this was just a humorous failure to pay attention to his stepping, but no one would notice his hand slap underneath the Pontiac as he stood back up. Garric rubbed his face, deciding that he didn't have to make the fall look that real, and continued to walk down the road.
He heard the shop door open. With his heart pounding, his hands dropped casually into his trench coat's pockets. He could almost count the man's footsteps back to the car. Except the footsteps continued across the street. Hoping that the business man hadn't noticed, Garric turned his head slightly to see some younger man trotting across the street even though there was no traffic. He continued walking. A few seconds later, Rederick walked out of Hal's. Garric checked to make sure it was the right guy this time and slowed his walking down just enough that Rederick could get into his car with a Dr. Pepper in his hand, start the car, and begin driving. Luckily, he drove past Garric. Garric gritted his teeth.
"Good, because I want to see it..." he muttered, sweat pouring down his forehead and neck. He had to watch the hit. That was Alan's orders. You have a lot of potential, but I need to know you can operate with me on even terms. This is your target. Take him down in the method described in the dossier. Garric swallowed air, his saliva dried from his mouth hanging open in anticipation as his hand closed around the detonator and pressed the switch.
One second. Garric blinked. Did it-BOOM!
Garric gasped and stumbled backwards, startled by the noise. This fear turned to astonishment as he quickly jumped to his feet and started to walk away, ditching the detonator in the nearest alleyway dumpster and burning the documents he had. It was so easy. So...so easy...The year was 2033, and Garric was well on his way to being one of the Resonance's most valuable assets.
Now the year is 2036. He tosses his cigarette to the pavement again, now in Los Angelos in the middle of the night with nothing but the silent air and the stars to greet him. He breathes out softly, a light gray smoke that gets caught on the wind quickly and drifts away.
"Hm...Storms comin'...some birthday..." he mutters to himself with an amused smile. He makes his way down the street slowly, thinking about getting something sweet to eat to celebrate the day he turns thirty-one.
A glowing cigarette butt landed without a sound on the rough, damp sidewalk, where a size 11 black tactical SWAT boot stomped out the gentle embers. The boot twisted once and then stepped forward. This boot belonged to Garric Vault, and while there are many things about this man that one could learn, right then was hardly the time for introductions. His slow gait carried him slowly towards the front of the Hal's Pub, an inviting hot-spot in Mesa, Arizona. In the front of the store, a gray Pontiac pulled up to the curb and cut its engine. A man hopped out of the driver's door energetically. He was dressed in a classic business suit, black sport coat, with stylized cuff links and comfortable looking black slacks. This man appeared to be in his early thirties, but consistent nano-plastic surgery would keep him looking that way regardless of the fact that he was nearly sixty-two. His name was Alfonse Rederick, and he was the corporate manager in Mesa's Kalamity lab. The man walked into bar, passing in front of Garric. When the front door of the shop closed, Garric tripped on nothing and planted his face into the pavement. He grunted in exaggerated pain, and started to stand up. To the average onlooker, this was just a humorous failure to pay attention to his stepping, but no one would notice his hand slap underneath the Pontiac as he stood back up. Garric rubbed his face, deciding that he didn't have to make the fall look that real, and continued to walk down the road.
He heard the shop door open. With his heart pounding, his hands dropped casually into his trench coat's pockets. He could almost count the man's footsteps back to the car. Except the footsteps continued across the street. Hoping that the business man hadn't noticed, Garric turned his head slightly to see some younger man trotting across the street even though there was no traffic. He continued walking. A few seconds later, Rederick walked out of Hal's. Garric checked to make sure it was the right guy this time and slowed his walking down just enough that Rederick could get into his car with a Dr. Pepper in his hand, start the car, and begin driving. Luckily, he drove past Garric. Garric gritted his teeth.
"Good, because I want to see it..." he muttered, sweat pouring down his forehead and neck. He had to watch the hit. That was Alan's orders. You have a lot of potential, but I need to know you can operate with me on even terms. This is your target. Take him down in the method described in the dossier. Garric swallowed air, his saliva dried from his mouth hanging open in anticipation as his hand closed around the detonator and pressed the switch.
One second. Garric blinked. Did it-BOOM!
Garric gasped and stumbled backwards, startled by the noise. This fear turned to astonishment as he quickly jumped to his feet and started to walk away, ditching the detonator in the nearest alleyway dumpster and burning the documents he had. It was so easy. So...so easy...The year was 2033, and Garric was well on his way to being one of the Resonance's most valuable assets.
Now the year is 2036. He tosses his cigarette to the pavement again, now in Los Angelos in the middle of the night with nothing but the silent air and the stars to greet him. He breathes out softly, a light gray smoke that gets caught on the wind quickly and drifts away.
"Hm...Storms comin'...some birthday..." he mutters to himself with an amused smile. He makes his way down the street slowly, thinking about getting something sweet to eat to celebrate the day he turns thirty-one.
Heavy breaths and the sound of running might have been heard, if one was listening well enough. Except that the sounds weren't coming from the street, but rather from above. And moving expectionally fast. Two figures were moving almost as blurs along the roof tops of the buildings in southern L.A. Every sudden height change in the buildings seemed to be no challenge for them.
The pursuer's eyes narrowed, the long golden hair behind her whipping in a circular manner as she tried to keep pace with her target. He was quite fast though. Faster than most vampires she had seen. But, her hunger kept her speed and reflexes at their best. There was a large gap between the buildings and he jumped it with ease. She hesitated, but jumped as well, falling just a bit short, and slid down the wall until she could grab a window ledge. She gasped, trying to get a good grip with her feet, and then looked up. She climbed, to the best of her ability, toward the roof. It took time, but she finally pulled herself over the edge of the roof, rolling over the edge and taking deep breaths. She couldn't recover for long, since her food would be getting away.
But as she stood, she soon became the victim, as the vampire threw himself at her, tackling her over the edge. They fell in a long descent, and Kai couldn't help but feel the irony of climbing the building, just to fall down the side of it again. With her quick thinking, she managed to turn the vampire underneath her as they hit the pavement, cushioning her fall somewhat. But that wasn't to say it wouldn't hurt like hell anyway. The impact sent pains through her wrists and arms, as well as her back.
Her breath was nearly gone, finding it hard to intake air for the moment. And as the bones in her body rapidly repaired themselves, she pulled herself onto the vampire even more. It may have been an odd sight, seeing fangs on the female as she bit the vampire on the neck, draining him of the lifeless blood he had. The vampire tried to fight her off, until enough of him was drained that he no longer moved.
Kai pulled away from him, wiping her mouth and seeming somewhat ashamed of what she did. She moved back, leaning against the wall and sliding down into a sitting positions, taking deep breaths once again.
The pursuer's eyes narrowed, the long golden hair behind her whipping in a circular manner as she tried to keep pace with her target. He was quite fast though. Faster than most vampires she had seen. But, her hunger kept her speed and reflexes at their best. There was a large gap between the buildings and he jumped it with ease. She hesitated, but jumped as well, falling just a bit short, and slid down the wall until she could grab a window ledge. She gasped, trying to get a good grip with her feet, and then looked up. She climbed, to the best of her ability, toward the roof. It took time, but she finally pulled herself over the edge of the roof, rolling over the edge and taking deep breaths. She couldn't recover for long, since her food would be getting away.
But as she stood, she soon became the victim, as the vampire threw himself at her, tackling her over the edge. They fell in a long descent, and Kai couldn't help but feel the irony of climbing the building, just to fall down the side of it again. With her quick thinking, she managed to turn the vampire underneath her as they hit the pavement, cushioning her fall somewhat. But that wasn't to say it wouldn't hurt like hell anyway. The impact sent pains through her wrists and arms, as well as her back.
Her breath was nearly gone, finding it hard to intake air for the moment. And as the bones in her body rapidly repaired themselves, she pulled herself onto the vampire even more. It may have been an odd sight, seeing fangs on the female as she bit the vampire on the neck, draining him of the lifeless blood he had. The vampire tried to fight her off, until enough of him was drained that he no longer moved.
Kai pulled away from him, wiping her mouth and seeming somewhat ashamed of what she did. She moved back, leaning against the wall and sliding down into a sitting positions, taking deep breaths once again.
Garric sang his way quietly down the street, his voice only a whisper compared to the light thumping of his thick-soled boots. "Kickin' me under the table...quit tryin' to make us shut up about it please...I'm tryin'....shit...what comes next?" he asked himself, about halfway to a corner street bakery he frequently visited after missions or when he was bored. He had been sent to this city by one of The Resonance commanders, Falin, an elf and a close friend to Alan. The idea was to find information on a target here in L.A. Christoff Malakai, resident Kalamity researcher who was supposedly here on vacation, but it wasn't known where he was staying or how long he would be here. This gave Garric no leads to follow, and still he had come up with a lead on his own, and followed it into a nearly cold trail that finally brought up the hotel he was staying in. Sadly, the man was not in the room at the time Garric finally found the building, but it was estimated that he would be back in two days at the most. This left Garric with nothing to do but explore the streets whenever he felt like.
Only five minutes away from the intersection he had to cross, he felt an odd tingle on the back of his neck. He drew his silenced P-226 and looked behind him quickly. There was nothing suspicious there. He checked the alleyway to his right. Again, there was nothing there, but something above caught his attention and he looked up. Something made a leap across the absurdly large gap and barely missed the edge. The figure slid down the wall, and Garric recognized that no human could make that leap and come that close. As the nonhuman began to climb the wall with impressive speed, he started walking quickly down the sidewalk to try and anticipate where the figure would go next, but then he heard a scuffle above him and he quickly steadied his gun on the ledge above. There he saw two figures falling towards him, and he quickly rolled out of the way as the two hit the ground. They were clearly vampires, and the female on top wasted no time in draining the other vampire as soon as she had the chance. He had never witnessed nonhumans killing each other, but he remembered what Alan had told him and he raised his gun at her.
The only problem with vampires is that they killed each other for other reasons than what he suspected right at that moment. Sometimes it was a family problem. Other times it was just senseless anger at one another. But Alan had told him that any nonhuman during this crisis would likely set aside their differences for survival. If you see any nonhuman killing another nonhuman, assume that its for the war. One of them is fighting for Kalamity.
"Freeze, bitch. Got a bullet with your name on it unless you tell me what side you're on right now," he said, his adrenaline pumping as his finger pressed gently against the trigger.
Only five minutes away from the intersection he had to cross, he felt an odd tingle on the back of his neck. He drew his silenced P-226 and looked behind him quickly. There was nothing suspicious there. He checked the alleyway to his right. Again, there was nothing there, but something above caught his attention and he looked up. Something made a leap across the absurdly large gap and barely missed the edge. The figure slid down the wall, and Garric recognized that no human could make that leap and come that close. As the nonhuman began to climb the wall with impressive speed, he started walking quickly down the sidewalk to try and anticipate where the figure would go next, but then he heard a scuffle above him and he quickly steadied his gun on the ledge above. There he saw two figures falling towards him, and he quickly rolled out of the way as the two hit the ground. They were clearly vampires, and the female on top wasted no time in draining the other vampire as soon as she had the chance. He had never witnessed nonhumans killing each other, but he remembered what Alan had told him and he raised his gun at her.
The only problem with vampires is that they killed each other for other reasons than what he suspected right at that moment. Sometimes it was a family problem. Other times it was just senseless anger at one another. But Alan had told him that any nonhuman during this crisis would likely set aside their differences for survival. If you see any nonhuman killing another nonhuman, assume that its for the war. One of them is fighting for Kalamity.
"Freeze, bitch. Got a bullet with your name on it unless you tell me what side you're on right now," he said, his adrenaline pumping as his finger pressed gently against the trigger.
She was surpised that she hadn't noticed him there to begin with. Her senses had obviously been clouded by her thirst for blood. But she made no hesitation to raise her own gun at him. She didn't like it when there was a gun pointed at her. "Hope those are blessed silvers you have in there... otherwise, it won't do you much good." She wasn't stating anything to point her out as a vampire on purpose. She would never compare herself to those things.
But she decided to answer his question. "I don't have a side." She knew that may be a rare thing to here, since not choosing a side meant you were on your own for the most part. But she did well enough for herself.
And she knew the scene the man had just witnessed probably didn't make her look good at all. "He's not dead..." she added, tapping her foot against the vampire's leg. "I could at least control myself that much."
But she decided to answer his question. "I don't have a side." She knew that may be a rare thing to here, since not choosing a side meant you were on your own for the most part. But she did well enough for herself.
And she knew the scene the man had just witnessed probably didn't make her look good at all. "He's not dead..." she added, tapping her foot against the vampire's leg. "I could at least control myself that much."
He raised an eyebrow, and with an almost disappointed sigh lowered his weapon in the slightest, but then brought it back up. He wasn't about to be fooled so easily. Perhaps he was only looking for an excuse to point his gun at something, but it was for his safety at the moment. He cocked the hammer back. He couldn't kill her with his bullets, but a shot to the brain was more than enough to scramble a vampire's senses for at least five seconds while he split.
"How do I know that? You're killing...er, taking out...er, whatever it is you'd call it, another vamp. You aren't stupid. You know the conflict is going on, and I've been warned about deserters to The Resonance. And a vampire using a gun? That's sort of an oxymoron, given their general behavior."
"How do I know that? You're killing...er, taking out...er, whatever it is you'd call it, another vamp. You aren't stupid. You know the conflict is going on, and I've been warned about deserters to The Resonance. And a vampire using a gun? That's sort of an oxymoron, given their general behavior."
Him assuming, and calling, her a vampire seemed to piss her off just a little bit. With a sort of angry growl, and a kick to a nearby trash can, she yelled, "I'm not a vampire!" She lowered her guns, knowing by that point the only reason he would hold his up would be because of hers. "He's not dead, he's just drained. And in about another minute or two, he'll be back to his normal self. And I don't want to be around when he is. No one likes to be used as a food source."
She placed her guns back in their holsters and turned from him, doing just as she said she would, and turned from him to leave. She really didn't want to cause another scene when the vampire awoke. She quickly made her way down the sidewalk, away from the scene, and away from the man with a gun.
She placed her guns back in their holsters and turned from him, doing just as she said she would, and turned from him to leave. She really didn't want to cause another scene when the vampire awoke. She quickly made her way down the sidewalk, away from the scene, and away from the man with a gun.
Garric watched with a sideways glance as the "not-vampire but clearly having vampiric traits" left in a hurry. As she no longer posed a threat to him, he had no desire to track her down. Instead, he focused on the vampire in front of him and walked over to the guy. He assumed that it would be hostile when it woke up but that was sometime from then. He nudged the guy with his boot. "Hey...hey you...you got your ass beat by a girl. And she wasn't even a vampire. I'm probably doing you a favor," he said, and pulled the trigger of his pistol, which was aimed at the head of the vampire itself. Even without silver bullets, a drained vampire was a barely functioning one. Do enough damage to a vampire's brain and it won't have enough blood to heal; it wouldn't survive. Garric fired six bullets, three for both sides of his head, and the vampire appeared to lapse into a coma. Without blood though, the brain wouldn't heal quick enough, and he would die quietly. Garric picked the vampire up and hauled him over to the alley way, dumping him into a garbage dumpster.
"Your friends wouldn't let you live that down. Oh well...all's well that ends well," he muttered, off to reach the bakery finally. It was then that he turned around to see the girl, catching a laser pointed at the side of her head. He reacted without thinking, and raised his gun. "GET DOWN," he shouted, quickly pinpointing the source of the laser and firing some well placed shots at a rooftop a quarter of a mile off. A dark shadow on the roof disappeared for a second, and it was all Garric needed. He opened the door to some apartments they were next to and pushed her inside, shutting the door quickly. The man at the counter, startled and reaching for the phone, was just an old geezer. "Ah, ah...don't do that. Pretty please? We're the good guys, old man...sort of," he said, his gun leveled at the old man's head. The man dropped the receiver and Garric expertly shot it as it fell, blowing it in half and rendering it useless. He reloaded the pistol quickly, starting up the stairs of the apartments, no longer paying attention to Kai.
"Your friends wouldn't let you live that down. Oh well...all's well that ends well," he muttered, off to reach the bakery finally. It was then that he turned around to see the girl, catching a laser pointed at the side of her head. He reacted without thinking, and raised his gun. "GET DOWN," he shouted, quickly pinpointing the source of the laser and firing some well placed shots at a rooftop a quarter of a mile off. A dark shadow on the roof disappeared for a second, and it was all Garric needed. He opened the door to some apartments they were next to and pushed her inside, shutting the door quickly. The man at the counter, startled and reaching for the phone, was just an old geezer. "Ah, ah...don't do that. Pretty please? We're the good guys, old man...sort of," he said, his gun leveled at the old man's head. The man dropped the receiver and Garric expertly shot it as it fell, blowing it in half and rendering it useless. He reloaded the pistol quickly, starting up the stairs of the apartments, no longer paying attention to Kai.
She had not been expecting the sudden events to happen, especially so soon after leaving the scene. When she heard him yell, she instinctively ducked into the shadows, and moved against the wall. The gunshots she heard made her draw out her own pistols and she almost struggled against the male as he pulled her into a door. Slowly collecting herself, she looked up to the old man, who was watching Garric disappear from their sights.
She stood up slowly, dusting herself off. She wondered what was going on, but she couldn't question it any further at the moment. So she turned, her guns still out, as she headed toward the stairs as well. She had fed, so her senses and reflexes were at their best. If there was a fight, she would be of great help, though she was still unsure what was happening.
She stood up slowly, dusting herself off. She wondered what was going on, but she couldn't question it any further at the moment. So she turned, her guns still out, as she headed toward the stairs as well. She had fed, so her senses and reflexes were at their best. If there was a fight, she would be of great help, though she was still unsure what was happening.
Garric sprinted up the steps with concern to how much noise he was making. Some people poked their heads out to look for the source of the racket, but then only became curious as to the man running through the halls, a gun in hand. Many of them took shelter, but one human came from his room and waved at Garric. "What's the issue? And who's she...a nonhuman?"
Garric nodded. "Sniper. He's likely changed positions by now, but this moron," he pointed back to Kai with a hint of annoyance, "was out running around in the open with her vampire boyfriend. They were probably being tracked by Kalamity." The man nodded and held his finger up for Garric to wait, quickly disappearing into his room again. Garric stood patiently and looked back to Kai. "Don't go outside. The Hunters are out by now, and we're in a shit position. And yes, they're all equipped to handle any nonhuman, and they're all about as good a shot as I am, or better. You can go it alone from here, or stick with us; your choice." As he finished speaking, the man came out again wearing black sweats and a T-shirt with a flak vest under it and a Glock 19 handgun in one hand. He had a small backpack on.
"They'll come to my room most likely. They've been following me for a while. Door's rigged to blow, so lets go. Jeremy Linay," he said, gently closing the door as he introduced himself, and started to lead them towards the stairs.
"Garric Vault," he replied as he followed after them, giving Kai a quick glance before he did.
"I've heard that name a couple of times. Pleasure to work with you." They moved up the next flight of stairs, much quieter this time, but just as quickly. The building was seven stories, and so the climb was a little taxing given that they ran up every flight without ceasing. Garric moved ahead of Jeremy as they approached the door to the roof.
"I'll take point. I have a silenced gun, and I'm a better shot...trust me," he said, kicking the door open. This was tactically the worst thing he could have done, since the door faced the direction of the sniper. However, on Jeremy's vest was a viable tool. It was night time, so the enemy would be using night vision to keep tabs on them. Garric ducked immediately, using the stairs for cover and motioning for a flash-bang grenade. Jeremy handed it to him, and Garric pulled the pin. "Close your eyes," Garric told them, and he counted to two before lobbing the bomb just outside the door. It went off almost immediately. Garric looked up after the flash to see a dark shadow appear to stumble to the side. With nightvision on, the light would have totally blinded him. He'd be disabled for a few minutes, which was a mountain of time as they moved through the door and onto the roof.
Garric nodded. "Sniper. He's likely changed positions by now, but this moron," he pointed back to Kai with a hint of annoyance, "was out running around in the open with her vampire boyfriend. They were probably being tracked by Kalamity." The man nodded and held his finger up for Garric to wait, quickly disappearing into his room again. Garric stood patiently and looked back to Kai. "Don't go outside. The Hunters are out by now, and we're in a shit position. And yes, they're all equipped to handle any nonhuman, and they're all about as good a shot as I am, or better. You can go it alone from here, or stick with us; your choice." As he finished speaking, the man came out again wearing black sweats and a T-shirt with a flak vest under it and a Glock 19 handgun in one hand. He had a small backpack on.
"They'll come to my room most likely. They've been following me for a while. Door's rigged to blow, so lets go. Jeremy Linay," he said, gently closing the door as he introduced himself, and started to lead them towards the stairs.
"Garric Vault," he replied as he followed after them, giving Kai a quick glance before he did.
"I've heard that name a couple of times. Pleasure to work with you." They moved up the next flight of stairs, much quieter this time, but just as quickly. The building was seven stories, and so the climb was a little taxing given that they ran up every flight without ceasing. Garric moved ahead of Jeremy as they approached the door to the roof.
"I'll take point. I have a silenced gun, and I'm a better shot...trust me," he said, kicking the door open. This was tactically the worst thing he could have done, since the door faced the direction of the sniper. However, on Jeremy's vest was a viable tool. It was night time, so the enemy would be using night vision to keep tabs on them. Garric ducked immediately, using the stairs for cover and motioning for a flash-bang grenade. Jeremy handed it to him, and Garric pulled the pin. "Close your eyes," Garric told them, and he counted to two before lobbing the bomb just outside the door. It went off almost immediately. Garric looked up after the flash to see a dark shadow appear to stumble to the side. With nightvision on, the light would have totally blinded him. He'd be disabled for a few minutes, which was a mountain of time as they moved through the door and onto the roof.
Kai knew immediately that she did not like the Garric person. His sarcastic tone and words sent her temper flaring just a bit. She didn't ask for his help, and nor did she like the idea of him making it seem like he was the oh-so-intelligent one and that she had no idea what she may be doing. The moron comment would not be let go so easily.
But if there was someone chasing them, she didn't want to be the one to get caught. She turned, following them silently up the stairs. She didn't acknowledge them in any way as they spoke, not finding the need to... and most definitely not the want to. She waited at the roof access, looking away when told to, having an idea what was going to happen. The flash happened and she turned back, raising her guns at the figure. She pulled the trigger slightly, before deciding that it wasn't the best idea to shoot her guns at that moment. There would come a time for that.
But if there was someone chasing them, she didn't want to be the one to get caught. She turned, following them silently up the stairs. She didn't acknowledge them in any way as they spoke, not finding the need to... and most definitely not the want to. She waited at the roof access, looking away when told to, having an idea what was going to happen. The flash happened and she turned back, raising her guns at the figure. She pulled the trigger slightly, before deciding that it wasn't the best idea to shoot her guns at that moment. There would come a time for that.
Garric looked to Jeremy. "Now what? There's no way down!" Jeremy ran to the back of the roof and kicked a coiled rope off over the edge. Garric's eyebrow raised, slightly impressed by the basic preparation of this random Resonance fighter. With his gloves, sliding down took only a few seconds. Jeremy grabbed a small cloth out of his pocket, grabbing the rope and sliding down with the cloth covering his hand.
"There's a bunker in the sewers. We can reach it in ten minutes," Garric said, swiftly moving through the back alley towards the street. The streets were clear, and there was no shooters on the roof. He did not wait for Kai, but Jeremy was standing at the base of the rope, waving for her to follow them. Within the building itself, a dull thud echoed through the open doorway, and one of the second story windows exploded outwards with a bang. Kalamity had rushed the front door, likely expecting their sniper to have the roof and alley covered. Blinding him was a prime tactic on complete accident. "Thirty seconds," Garric said, moving out to the empty street and using the barrel of his gun to crack open the manhole while Jeremy started to follow, keeping Garric covered.
"There's a bunker in the sewers. We can reach it in ten minutes," Garric said, swiftly moving through the back alley towards the street. The streets were clear, and there was no shooters on the roof. He did not wait for Kai, but Jeremy was standing at the base of the rope, waving for her to follow them. Within the building itself, a dull thud echoed through the open doorway, and one of the second story windows exploded outwards with a bang. Kalamity had rushed the front door, likely expecting their sniper to have the roof and alley covered. Blinding him was a prime tactic on complete accident. "Thirty seconds," Garric said, moving out to the empty street and using the barrel of his gun to crack open the manhole while Jeremy started to follow, keeping Garric covered.
Kai, too, was quite impressed by the readiness of this stranger. Almost as if he had been expecting it. The sniper, on the other hand, had done a terrible job of surveying the roof to rid it of any possible escape methods. She watched as the two slid down the rope, before she stood at the edge of the roof herself. She looked down for a long moment, before looking back behind her to make sure no one was following. Then she jumped forward, falling toward the ground without hesitation. She hit the ground bending her knees as she landed, surprisingly with an unnatural quietness and grace. Her golden hair fell about her as she steadied herself quickly and followed the two toward the said destination.
She paused for a moment, when the explosion occured, her eyes looking up to the windows and watching the shattered glass fall to the street below. The assailants had obviously found their way there, and met with the flaming surprise. She then turned to continue, following to the manhole.
She paused for a moment, when the explosion occured, her eyes looking up to the windows and watching the shattered glass fall to the street below. The assailants had obviously found their way there, and met with the flaming surprise. She then turned to continue, following to the manhole.
Garric grunted, pulling the manhole cover aside, and he readied his pistol again. Seeing that the not-vampire had followed them after all. "Well, well...smarter than I recalled. Excellent. Down the rabbit hole," he said to her, and he and Jeremy took opposite sides of the manhole and kept their eyes open for any Kalamity grunts, clearing Kai to go down the hole first. Garric would have gladly just left her in the apartment building, but now that she followed, she was precious cargo. He knew "babysitting" wasn't an appropriate term to use, given that the girl could probably cave his face in with one punch, but that's what it felt like anyway. Really, it was more like escort.
His sarcastic comment made her want to put a bullet through his forehead, but she didn't think that would be such a good idea since he seemed to have a friend with him. He might have friends elsewhere for all she knew. Giving as little expression as possible she jumped down the manhole, landing in less than a half an inch of water, her guns raised just in case there was someone... or something, waiting down there for them.
As far as she could tell, there was nothing in immediate sight, nor past her low-light vision. "Okay..." she said, calling up to them, as if they had been waiting for her to give the okay; even though she knew that wasn't the case. She holstered her guns, feeling that she wouldn't need them down here.
As far as she could tell, there was nothing in immediate sight, nor past her low-light vision. "Okay..." she said, calling up to them, as if they had been waiting for her to give the okay; even though she knew that wasn't the case. She holstered her guns, feeling that she wouldn't need them down here.
Jeremy was the next to follow, using the ladder and lowering himself into the massive underground tunnel that was obviously one of the primary transport tunnels for waste. Naturally, the stench here was horrific. Jeremy walked up next to Kai, his shirt covering his nose out of repulsion. He looked up to find Garric. The mercenary was pulling the cover back over the manhole, and he slid down the ladder after doing so as quietly as he could manage. As soon as he landed, he took the lead, knowing exactly where to go from there. "It's smells to high heaven in here...Jeremy, we may be a little resistance group, but that doesn't mean you can skimp on personal hygiene," he muttered to Jeremy, who scoffed.
"Oh, it smells in a sewer? Well done, General Jackass McObvious. Just stay frosty. We aren't protected from deep thermal scanners until we get to the bunker." They walked for a while in silence, keeping their eyes and ears peeled for any sign that they were compromised. As they moved into the smaller tunnels, and eventually tight maintenance halls, the dim light from outside left them completely and Garric turned on the flashlight that was under-mounted on the pistol. "Hey," Jeremy whispered, "if they find us, just tell one of your jokes Garric. They'll be rolling, I promise."
"Why are you worried about being found? They'll spare you. After all, how would they know the true meaning of stupidity if you were dead? They need a bottom line to compare things to," Garric retorted, a smug smile playing across his lips. There was no reason to not talk, because the hallways were so cramped and claustrophobic that every footfall echoed down the entire length of it. Their banter was entertaining to themselves, and there was an obvious camaraderie between them, despite the fact that they had never met before that day. Every once in a while, they would hear a strange noise, and Garric would halt the entire group to stop and listen, cutting all lights just in case. It wasn't until they reached an air vent that Garric stopped and stooped to pry off the cover with his combat knife, using his gun barrel as a fulcrum. The metal cover popped off, and it was obvious that about twenty feet inside the vent, it wasn't just an airway connected to the meager A/C unit. It doubled as an entrance.
"Holy shit Garric, how did you know this other entrance was here," Jeremy asked in astonishment as he bent down to crawl inside.
"I memorized the location of the main entrance to the bunker, then checked to see where the vent came out in case we needed to enter from a different access point. If we tried to find the front door, we'd have another two hour long walk ahead of us. These tunnels don't connect for a while." After Jeremy's feet disappeared into the vent, Garric followed after him, getting down low and squeezing his bulky but fit frame through the small entrance. It was barely big enough for him, and as he neared the entrance to the bunker, he needed assistance. "Jeremy, haul my fat ass through," he whispered, and Jeremy pulled him out by his arms.
The bunker was nothing extravagant. It was about 30x30 feet, with gray concrete, lead-lined walls on all sides. There were two bunk-cots on one side of the room, enough for four people to have their own bunk. There were two gun lockers, two K-tek Comm. Computers, circa 1993, and a large food locker. It wasn't the primary L.A. bunker, but it was definitely well-used. In fact, someone else was already there, waiting for them. A short female anthro was there, in the appearance of a bipedal, semi-human zebra. She couldn't have been more than seventeen. "How's the shit?" she asked Jeremy, who replied, "Hit the fan. Hard."
Garric immediately laid down in a bunk, and Jeremy gave Kai a kind smile. "Sorry that we haven't explained a whole lot, but this is going to be home for the next six hours, while things cool down outside. This is Rekka, resident medic. In case you forgot, I'm Jeremy, and that's Gay-ric." Jeremy ignored the middle finger he earned from that quip. "You're safe here, so just settle down and be patient, while we make contact with our commander."
"Who's the nearest C.O.?" Garric asked from the cot, his arm covering his closed eyes.
"Pepper," Rekka answered nonchalantly, though Garric moaned in aggravation at the mention of her name, "She's with Mouse and Gin about eighty clicks north. They're on their way here to the main base. We're to meet them in seven hours. We'll move in six. I told them Kalamity's hive is stirring, so they're going to hole up in San Fernando if they're looking at an early arrival time. Nice to meet you Kai," she said, too focused on monitoring the screen to pay Kai much attention.
"Oh, it smells in a sewer? Well done, General Jackass McObvious. Just stay frosty. We aren't protected from deep thermal scanners until we get to the bunker." They walked for a while in silence, keeping their eyes and ears peeled for any sign that they were compromised. As they moved into the smaller tunnels, and eventually tight maintenance halls, the dim light from outside left them completely and Garric turned on the flashlight that was under-mounted on the pistol. "Hey," Jeremy whispered, "if they find us, just tell one of your jokes Garric. They'll be rolling, I promise."
"Why are you worried about being found? They'll spare you. After all, how would they know the true meaning of stupidity if you were dead? They need a bottom line to compare things to," Garric retorted, a smug smile playing across his lips. There was no reason to not talk, because the hallways were so cramped and claustrophobic that every footfall echoed down the entire length of it. Their banter was entertaining to themselves, and there was an obvious camaraderie between them, despite the fact that they had never met before that day. Every once in a while, they would hear a strange noise, and Garric would halt the entire group to stop and listen, cutting all lights just in case. It wasn't until they reached an air vent that Garric stopped and stooped to pry off the cover with his combat knife, using his gun barrel as a fulcrum. The metal cover popped off, and it was obvious that about twenty feet inside the vent, it wasn't just an airway connected to the meager A/C unit. It doubled as an entrance.
"Holy shit Garric, how did you know this other entrance was here," Jeremy asked in astonishment as he bent down to crawl inside.
"I memorized the location of the main entrance to the bunker, then checked to see where the vent came out in case we needed to enter from a different access point. If we tried to find the front door, we'd have another two hour long walk ahead of us. These tunnels don't connect for a while." After Jeremy's feet disappeared into the vent, Garric followed after him, getting down low and squeezing his bulky but fit frame through the small entrance. It was barely big enough for him, and as he neared the entrance to the bunker, he needed assistance. "Jeremy, haul my fat ass through," he whispered, and Jeremy pulled him out by his arms.
The bunker was nothing extravagant. It was about 30x30 feet, with gray concrete, lead-lined walls on all sides. There were two bunk-cots on one side of the room, enough for four people to have their own bunk. There were two gun lockers, two K-tek Comm. Computers, circa 1993, and a large food locker. It wasn't the primary L.A. bunker, but it was definitely well-used. In fact, someone else was already there, waiting for them. A short female anthro was there, in the appearance of a bipedal, semi-human zebra. She couldn't have been more than seventeen. "How's the shit?" she asked Jeremy, who replied, "Hit the fan. Hard."
Garric immediately laid down in a bunk, and Jeremy gave Kai a kind smile. "Sorry that we haven't explained a whole lot, but this is going to be home for the next six hours, while things cool down outside. This is Rekka, resident medic. In case you forgot, I'm Jeremy, and that's Gay-ric." Jeremy ignored the middle finger he earned from that quip. "You're safe here, so just settle down and be patient, while we make contact with our commander."
"Who's the nearest C.O.?" Garric asked from the cot, his arm covering his closed eyes.
"Pepper," Rekka answered nonchalantly, though Garric moaned in aggravation at the mention of her name, "She's with Mouse and Gin about eighty clicks north. They're on their way here to the main base. We're to meet them in seven hours. We'll move in six. I told them Kalamity's hive is stirring, so they're going to hole up in San Fernando if they're looking at an early arrival time. Nice to meet you Kai," she said, too focused on monitoring the screen to pay Kai much attention.
The walk though the tunnels was enough to leave her confused. Not about her location, or the situation at hand, but rather the banter the two in front of her were throwing about. She found it odd that they were using insults as jokes, and no one was getting mad. The only insults she had ever heard... were meant just as insults, to rile someone.
She stopped when they did, and looked down to the vent as it was pryed open. She honestly would rather have taken the two hours to get to the actual entrance than crawl, but she wouldn't voice her opinion.
She slid into the bunker, looking around it, though obviously unimpressed and crossed her arms as Garric laid on the cot. She looked to the anthro woman in interest, showing little external reaction to Jeremy's smile. She listened to him as he explained a bit, and then turned his conversation to Rekka. Six hours here... that would be enjoyable.
She nodded her head at Rekka, when she greeted her, even though the female wouldn't see it.
"So, you are the resistance... against Kalamity," she said, finally speaking after a moment. She had heard about them, never met anyone in it though. "What is your group name?" It had been at least a year since she escaped, but she lacked much information on the outside world, especially groups and who they were.
She stopped when they did, and looked down to the vent as it was pryed open. She honestly would rather have taken the two hours to get to the actual entrance than crawl, but she wouldn't voice her opinion.
She slid into the bunker, looking around it, though obviously unimpressed and crossed her arms as Garric laid on the cot. She looked to the anthro woman in interest, showing little external reaction to Jeremy's smile. She listened to him as he explained a bit, and then turned his conversation to Rekka. Six hours here... that would be enjoyable.
She nodded her head at Rekka, when she greeted her, even though the female wouldn't see it.
"So, you are the resistance... against Kalamity," she said, finally speaking after a moment. She had heard about them, never met anyone in it though. "What is your group name?" It had been at least a year since she escaped, but she lacked much information on the outside world, especially groups and who they were.
Jeremy shrugged. "I have no idea. I just knew of the conflict and tried to help who I could. In fact, Pepper will be the first commander I've ever met. I'm really excited about that-"
"The Resonance," Garric said, his voice carrying what seemed to be a bit of pride at being the only one to know the name. "That's what Alan calls us by. Remember it, and tell others who don't know. We're well into the conflict, but our presence among the nonhuman population is still more of an echo on the wind. They know we exist, but they don't know what to do about it, or how to reach us. Some of them choose not to even."
Jeremy looked through the freezer and found that it was actually well stocked with some staple foods and flavored drinks, the primary attraction being a few sodas. Jeremy grabbed one of these, and turned back to Garric. "So you're a veteran, I guess?"
"Sort of. I was a mercenary for a long time, and I ran quite a few jobs for Kalamity until I figured out what they were doing. I used to not want to care, but things changed. I may have sold my soul long ago, but I never sold my standards. I fought against Alan on one job...it was 2034, only six months after he sparked the conflict." Even Rekka turned around now, her interest in the history of this war was palpable. Generally, any nonhuman would listen intently to a story involving Alan. He was less of a person, and more of a legend among the nonhuman population. "Kalamity got word that Alan was hitting a specific location in Florida, and I was a rising star among the rest of the mercs that worked for Kalamity, so I was the first picked to go. Alan didn't strike the building I was told, he hit the one next to it. Blew it sky high. I took off in that direction to try and intercept him if he came towards the building I was supposed to protect. We got into a five minute firefight, and then we ran out of bullets. So we fought hand-to-hand. In a gun battle, we were evenly matched, but I wasn't so skilled when it came to my fists. As it turns out, he was the diversion, and I didn't expect that the leader of the movement would take such a risky gambit. The other building exploded, and I surrendered, since my contract was ended. All the other mercs were killed, but Alan respected my skill. So I work for him now."
Rekka tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in slight suspicion. "Are the rumors true? Is Alan actually a human?"
"Yes," Garric answered, finally looking at the other three. "Ironic, isn't it?"
There was no immediate answer to this.
"The Resonance," Garric said, his voice carrying what seemed to be a bit of pride at being the only one to know the name. "That's what Alan calls us by. Remember it, and tell others who don't know. We're well into the conflict, but our presence among the nonhuman population is still more of an echo on the wind. They know we exist, but they don't know what to do about it, or how to reach us. Some of them choose not to even."
Jeremy looked through the freezer and found that it was actually well stocked with some staple foods and flavored drinks, the primary attraction being a few sodas. Jeremy grabbed one of these, and turned back to Garric. "So you're a veteran, I guess?"
"Sort of. I was a mercenary for a long time, and I ran quite a few jobs for Kalamity until I figured out what they were doing. I used to not want to care, but things changed. I may have sold my soul long ago, but I never sold my standards. I fought against Alan on one job...it was 2034, only six months after he sparked the conflict." Even Rekka turned around now, her interest in the history of this war was palpable. Generally, any nonhuman would listen intently to a story involving Alan. He was less of a person, and more of a legend among the nonhuman population. "Kalamity got word that Alan was hitting a specific location in Florida, and I was a rising star among the rest of the mercs that worked for Kalamity, so I was the first picked to go. Alan didn't strike the building I was told, he hit the one next to it. Blew it sky high. I took off in that direction to try and intercept him if he came towards the building I was supposed to protect. We got into a five minute firefight, and then we ran out of bullets. So we fought hand-to-hand. In a gun battle, we were evenly matched, but I wasn't so skilled when it came to my fists. As it turns out, he was the diversion, and I didn't expect that the leader of the movement would take such a risky gambit. The other building exploded, and I surrendered, since my contract was ended. All the other mercs were killed, but Alan respected my skill. So I work for him now."
Rekka tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in slight suspicion. "Are the rumors true? Is Alan actually a human?"
"Yes," Garric answered, finally looking at the other three. "Ironic, isn't it?"
There was no immediate answer to this.
Kai, having listened to his story, eventually spoke as well. "Would you have joined The Resonance if you had had the chance to get away?" She thought the whole thing seemed a bit off, but she did find that anything anyone did was suspicious, not matter what it was. She shook her head though, and leaned against the wall behind her.
She didn't trust anyone who worked for Kalamity... now or once before in their lifetime. She had no reason to. "You must have some difficulty getting others to trust you... none human that is. I'm sure there are plenty that know what you did before you joined the resistance."
But something else also teetered on her mind. "Why did you save me, in that alley? You had no reason to. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there at the moment." She couldn't help but wonder if it was just a random shot... or if someone had targetted her out specifically. She thought she moved around the country enough, but she knew Kalamity was quick with their information.
She didn't trust anyone who worked for Kalamity... now or once before in their lifetime. She had no reason to. "You must have some difficulty getting others to trust you... none human that is. I'm sure there are plenty that know what you did before you joined the resistance."
But something else also teetered on her mind. "Why did you save me, in that alley? You had no reason to. It is a dog-eat-dog world out there at the moment." She couldn't help but wonder if it was just a random shot... or if someone had targetted her out specifically. She thought she moved around the country enough, but she knew Kalamity was quick with their information.
"One question at a time, will you?" Garric said, deciding to answer them in the order she asked. Rekka huffed in frustration and went back to the computer, and Jeremy began to disassemble his Glock, using a small cleaning kit he kept with him at all times.
"First off, I didn't join the Resonance, I was conscripted. Alan gave me an ultimatum: 'you either work for me, or you die for what you've done.' I am employed by Alan, and this leads me to your next question. Just because I'm a mercenary doesn't mean I don't have standards. Any allies of my employer are allies of mine, and he gave me a strict code to follow in return for sparing my life. I am to take out targets using the training he gave me, but saving lives is the priority of everyone involved in the Resonance. I made up my mind to abide by that rule...but I think it was also old training. I served a four-year contract in the Marine Corps. Active duty. We take care of each other in the field. I just reacted to your imminent death."
Jeremy looked back, his eyebrows raised. "No shit? Were you deployed?"
"Twice. I spent a year fighting in the EU insurrection of 2027. In 2028 I was sent to South Korea as a personal guard to the U.S. embassy. I played a small role in stopping the assassination attempt on Argus Callahan, the ambassador at the time. After that, I retired."
Jeremy went back to cleaning his gun, impressed at Garric's short but eventful record, as Garric looked at Kai with the slightest twinge of cold conviction. "And my previous allegiance to Kalamity has raised some suspicion among the Resonance, but my actions have always convinced them otherwise. I could care less what other people think. I don't fight for the Resonance's cause. I fight because Alan tells me to."
"First off, I didn't join the Resonance, I was conscripted. Alan gave me an ultimatum: 'you either work for me, or you die for what you've done.' I am employed by Alan, and this leads me to your next question. Just because I'm a mercenary doesn't mean I don't have standards. Any allies of my employer are allies of mine, and he gave me a strict code to follow in return for sparing my life. I am to take out targets using the training he gave me, but saving lives is the priority of everyone involved in the Resonance. I made up my mind to abide by that rule...but I think it was also old training. I served a four-year contract in the Marine Corps. Active duty. We take care of each other in the field. I just reacted to your imminent death."
Jeremy looked back, his eyebrows raised. "No shit? Were you deployed?"
"Twice. I spent a year fighting in the EU insurrection of 2027. In 2028 I was sent to South Korea as a personal guard to the U.S. embassy. I played a small role in stopping the assassination attempt on Argus Callahan, the ambassador at the time. After that, I retired."
Jeremy went back to cleaning his gun, impressed at Garric's short but eventful record, as Garric looked at Kai with the slightest twinge of cold conviction. "And my previous allegiance to Kalamity has raised some suspicion among the Resonance, but my actions have always convinced them otherwise. I could care less what other people think. I don't fight for the Resonance's cause. I fight because Alan tells me to."
"That makes it all sound so much better," Kai said, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes. He didn't care what others thought about him, then she wouldn't bother speaking her mind. There was little reason to do so. She glanced up to the anthro, who seemed content with the computer screen again, and then to Jeremy, cleaning his gun. Everything here was so uninteresting. So she decided to question Garric a bit more.
"What is... the Marine Corp.?" she asked, looking to him once again. She, in all honestly, had never heard of such a thing. Being raised in the lab, and taught only what she needed to be taught, she was a little ignorant about lots of things in the world outside of the lab. That sometimes also made her a little naive.
"What is... the Marine Corp.?" she asked, looking to him once again. She, in all honestly, had never heard of such a thing. Being raised in the lab, and taught only what she needed to be taught, she was a little ignorant about lots of things in the world outside of the lab. That sometimes also made her a little naive.
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